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Posted October 10, 2010 12:19 am - Updated October 11, 2010 08:36 am

Letters to the editor Monday

Shriners should pay fair market value

There can be no argument that the Tybee Lite Shrine Club performs laudable and unique work in the community, especially their work with children; but the city of Tybee cannot afford the deal it has given the club any longer, particularly in these economic times of painful budget cuts, millage increases on Tybee citizens, and basic maintenance needs which abound on our island. ("Tybee Shriners make pitch ahead of lease renewal," Eric Curl, Sept. 24)

Did we not learn our lesson from the North Beach Grill rental fiasco, which continues to leave a bitter taste to many Tybee Islanders? Fair market value should absolutely be attained for our unique, beachfront property at Fort Screven; anything less would be absurd and cast even more ridicule on our city's ability to be transparent, even-handed and consistent.

As to the club speaking to what it has done to deserve continuance of this virtual giveaway, many of us in profit or non-profit endeavors routinely give back to our community through charitable donations and other philanthropy, "participate in parades," and make leasehold improvements on our leased or owned properties for the purpose of effectively conducting our business.

And by the way, the community dinner, a delicious meal, is not provided (as in free) but provided at a very reasonable cost.

One can't blame the club from seeking their best lease arrangement, but let's get beyond all the spin, innuendo and politicians' newspaper sound bites and just do the right (and legal) thing for all of Tybee.

JIMMY KELLEHER

Tybee Island

Casting protest vote in 12th District

I know that the Georgia Secretary of State said former candidate for the 12th District of the U.S. House Regina Thomas can't be a legal write-in, but I cannot in good conscious vote for Congressman John Barrow or Republican candidate Ray McKinney.

I have to vote for a person with integrity and willingness to stand up for those they serve. Both McKinney and Barrow are on the same side, which is against those who need their help. I have decided to have a protest vote.

I talked to the Election Commission and was told that I can write in a person's name in any race I want. I will use the touch screen voting machine and type in Regina Thomas under Democrat.

If enough of us write Regina's name in, Barrow will know there are people in his district who are dissatisfied with him. It will not change who might win. It gives those of us who have experienced Barrow's lying to our face and then telling us we didn't understand him a chance to stand up for what we believe to be the truth.

There are three choices in the November election for the 12th District representative. One choice is not to vote for either and write Regina Thomas name in under Barrow's. Stand up and vote what you believe. If Barrow wins, he knows that his chances of winning in the next two years are in doubt.

BARBARA L. ALLISON-SIMPSON

Savannah

Arts Academy band program still strong

When I saw the Sept. 18 Vox Populi comment, "Congratulations SCCPSS, you have totally ruined the band program at Savannah Arts Academy," I was in shock.

As a band student in my junior year at Savannah Arts Academy, I can say the band program is not ruined at all, but has merely been changed. I know many students and parents are frustrated and that Mr. Terry Staten, our new director, is quite different than Mr. Hutchinson, but that does not make a band program ruined. I am ashamed that members of the public would say such a thing. More than that, I am ashamed that a hurtful comment like that would be published in our newspaper.

Whether names were mentioned or not, it was a personal attack, and worse than that, it was a personal attack with nothing to back it up. Though he comes from a middle school setting and will take some getting used to, Mr. Terry Staten is a qualified, competent man, and he deserves all of our respect and support. Words hurt, and they accomplish nothing. Instead, let's be supportive and welcoming and make the best of everything.

KATIE DURDEN

Savannah

U.N. a corrupt farce

The recent spectacle at the U.N. was a sorry commentary on the times. Ahmadinejad and Obama sound like pair of Myna birds in their insane speeches.

One, this pair should never have been there; two, who wants to listen to this drivel; and three, the U.N. General Assembly should never have been allowed to meet on our sacred American soil.

"Back in the day," when our family used to travel to South Carolina for summer vacation, there were billboards all over the South and on barn roofs that extolled, "Get US out of the UN." These Southerners who put up these signs really knew what they were talking about. The U.N. is a disgraceful organization, rotten to the core.

I call on Congress to immediately vote to abandon the UN building in New York and to chain-lock the doors shut permanently. The building should be allowed to stand and rot in place, until it falls into the East River as a symbol of the scope of man's - especially American men - folly.

All U.N. diplomats should be deported within 24 hours; their families and children should have their visas revoked immediately, as well. We should tell the UN to set up shop elsewhere, maybe Tehran or Mogadishu; wait, why not Bagdad?

Anyway, "Get US out of the UN."

MICHAEL W. REA

Savannah

Carter unresponsive to aid request

I had often been told that part of an elected state representative or state senator's duties is to be of assistance in dealing with a local government agency. Was I ever naive to actually believe that!

On July 28, I sent a letter to State Sen. "Buddy" Carter requesting an answer to an issue I had with a local agency. He did not respond. I sent it a second time and he did not respond. I sent it a third time and still no response. If he could not comment on my issue, I would at least have appreciated an acknowledgement.